Strategies for State Think Tanks – January / February 2011

Seven Characteristics of

TransformationalFundraising

By Daniel Erspamer and Lynn Harsh

This is a year full of tremendous opportunity for free-market strategies and objectives that match supporters. The bow of the ship of state will turn one direction your organization’s mission and your potential investors’ needs. Then your or another, and SPN affiliates have the opportunity to help turn development department will need people who think, write and speak like it toward liberty. In fact, state think tanks not only have the your prospective customers – people opportunity, but also the responsibility to do so. who build communication bridges from your policy programs to your prospective clientele and investors. Such a program State think tanks are well-positioned necessary to execute the plans. Make no also requires a well-oiled development to make real change. Moreover, our mistake: Your programs will always be infrastructure to collect, maintain, supporters expect it from us. They are chronically underfunded unless you can segment and analyze data. These are very seeking transformational ideas developed effectively communicate to a growing different skill sets, but each one is aimed by policy entrepreneurs aimed at returning number of people what you do and why at the same goal. America to a freer, more prosperous it matters. nation. In both personal conversations Below are seven characteristics that mark a and public research studies, it is clear This brings up the first law of fundraising: A successful fundraising program capable of that philanthropists are looking to invest, successful fundraising program is designed seizing on big ideas and raising substantial as is often said, in a “big idea whose time around the real and perceived needs of your resources to see them through. has come.” current and potential investors, not the needs of your institute. It is up to you to The leadership is And if this isn’t the time, when is? connect the dots and link programs and productively engaged services with people who need and want Financial stability requires engaged That said, big ideas must be bolstered what you produce. by solid strategies and practical plans. leadership, beginning with your institute’s The plans must be communicated Creating a successful, stable development trustees. They should be one of your continued on page 4 clearly to people who have the resources program requires that it be linked with

2020 North 14th Street Suite 250 Arlington, VA 22201 Phone: 703-243-1655 Fax: 703-740-0314 [email protected] www.spn.org January / February 2011 Cover Your Online Basics Vol 12 • Issue 1 SPN News reports on issues of importance to state-focused, market-oriented, nonprofit public policy research organizations. By Nicole WIlliams Drawing from current updates and events from within the industry, the publication provides timely information on the most pressing Everything we have learned about issues facing public policy state think tank executives. State good website design is now in significant Policy Network publishes SPN News six times a year. Individual copies can be ordered from the State Policy Network offices at flux with the dawning of the touch-screen 703-243-1655. All images used in this issue are owned by their era. Android, iPhone, iPad and Windows respective copyright holders. All rights reserved. Mobile 7 are rapidly gaining market share, which means it is time, once again, to MISSION STATEMENT review how information on your website State Policy Network is the capacity building service organization organizational information in a user- for America’s free market, state-focused think tank community. is displayed. friendly, text-based way. We advance a free society by providing leadership development, management training and networking opportunities for think tank However, before your organization professionals and by promoting strategic partnerships among Simple search function. Make sure your concerns itself with touch-screen market-oriented organizations. search function is as easy as Google, and technology, a better first step is to make one of the first three things your website sure you have covered the basics well STATE POLICY NETWORK™ visitor sees. on your institute’s current website. The Tracie Sharp, President following eight points offer a check list Christopher Anderson, Technology Strategist Connection to social networks. At a Jennifer Butler, Executive Vice President for website fundamentals. minimum, make sure your organization Denise Chaykun, Program Director, Leadership Development Initiative is represented on Facebook, Twitter and Professional looking graphics. Your Daniel Erspamer, Vice President for Development Youtube. Set a regular, but maintainable site should have consistent fonts, and Lynn Harsh, Vice President of Leadership Development schedule to update these social networks, attractive graphics, with plenty of white Sarah Joy Hays, Donor Relations Manager and link them to your homepage. Holly M. Jackson, Director of External Relations space, so visitors feel like sticking around. Contact me for tips on how to do this in Caitlin McGovern, External Relations Assistant Stories should be told with words and Daniel Montgomery, Graphic Designer a manageable way. pictures. TNReport.com does an excellent Michelle Poehlmann, Administrative Assistant job with this. Michael Ross, Development Associate Donation function. Your donate button Laurel J. Tacoma, Program Coordinator, needs to be easy to use and easy to find at Leadership Development Initiative Relevant and new content. If your site all times. Not sure who to use to process Betsy Thraves, Executive Assistant and Office Manager has ever-changing, useful information, contributions? Look at ElectionMall or Kurt T. Weber, Senior Advisor and Editor, SPN News your visitors are more likely to return Nicole Williams, Management and Technology Advisor Paypal. to it – often. Easy, low-cost ways to do Event Management by Doner Fundraising: this are to have an organization blog, or Kate Doner Contact information on the first page. Rachel Rountree, Becky Wessels, Monique Wright to compile important information from Better yet, how about on every page, at BOARD OF DIRECTORS your state, such as all government press the bottom? releases, into an information center. Thomas A. Roe, Founding Chairman (1927 - 2000) With the holiday iPad-giving extravaganza Gaylord K. Swim (1948 - 2005) RSS feeds that are easy to find. Put your just past, this is an excellent time to do a Theodore D. Abram...... American Institute for Full Employment Whitney L. Ball...... Donors Trust RSS button either high on your page or fast website audit to see if the above basics prominently at the bottom to help visitors Carl Helstrom (Chairman)...... The JM Foundation are covered. Any of the above that are not Gisèle Huff (Treasurer)...... Jaquelin Hume Foundation easily subscribe to your work. Don’t have up and running should get added to the Barbara Wells Kenney (Secretary)...... Lillian S. Wells Foundation RSS? It’s time to contact your web vendor, “get it done” list – before you upgrade Adam Meyerson...... Philanthropy Roundtable Operation Geek Farm (OGFCommunity your organization’s website to reach the Tracie J. Sharp (President)...... State Policy Network .com) or me to evaluate what it will take Stanford D. Swim...... The GFC Foundation touch-based audience. Be assured, that Bridgett G. Wagner...... The Heritage Foundation to get this basic feature in place. topic will be covered in a forthcoming Thomas Willcox...... Thomas Roe Foundation SPN News. Text-based posts: Kill the PDF. PDF 2020 North 14th Street Suite 250 Arlington, VA 22201 documents are pretty. They are also hard Phone: 703-243-1655 Fax: 703-740-0314 to download, crash some devices, and Nicole Williams is the SPN [email protected] www.SPN.org management and technology State Policy Network has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, are impossible to read on many smaller advisor, and founder of America's largest independent evaluator of charities. tech devices. To stay relevant, do offer Operation Geek Farm. Reach her at [email protected]. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter a PDF download, but also reformat

® twitter.com/statepolicy

SPN NEWS 2 January / February 2011 James and Dolley Madison come to life for high school students through the James Madison Institute's outreach efforts.

Advancing Liberty Through the Ages

The Three Rs Student Students For Liberty of a Good Youth Freedom Project By Clark Ruper

Program By lasse Lund Students For Liberty undertakes the

By Becky Liner The Evergreen Freedom Foundation grassroots legwork to find pro-liberty has always carried out its mission with the college students all over the country, Everyone knows the three Rs are next generation in mind, but recently EFF has students who are thirsty for resources. essential to a good education. But what transformed that ideal into a specific focus. three Rs hold the key to teach high school From books and policy studies to swag and students about founding principles and free In September 2010 the Foundation speakers, SFL can help state think tanks market ideals? launched the Student Freedom Project distribute their resources to students who (studentfreedomproject.com), an outreach will use them to advance liberty on campus. Relevance. James Madison Institute’s civics effort geared toward engaging college initiative engages students in creative ways. The most valuable service SFL offers to students with the message of liberty, JMI has hosted dramatic performances by pro-liberty students is showing them that transparency and the free market. a President Madison reenactor (see photo they are not alone, that they are part of a above), utilized a rap video contrasting For EFF, reaching out means we go to growing movement. SFL holds regional Keynes and Hayek, and sponsored mock students on their turf and on their terms. conferences across the country in the continued on page 22 continued on page 22 continued on page 22

SPN NEWS 3 January / February 2011 Fundraising to building long-term relationships and Continued from page 1 Seven characteristics growing the support base necessary to carry out your mission. organization’s best resources – ready and of a successful willing to lead in procuring revenue. All fundraising program If you have asked for and received money trustees should be donors. In almost every from a donor for a specific project – case, a trustee who considers fundraising 1. The leadership is especially if you have described it as to be someone else’s job is a liability. productively engaged transformational – execute that project Successful organizations avoid snagging and report back to the donor. Far too an individual to serve on their board by 2. The donor base many organizations have made the stressing how little will be required of him is diversified time to ask for money, but have never or her. It indicates a lack of seriousness made the time to properly execute the 3. Opportunities are about the mission. project and report back to the donor prioritized on the outcomes. Accomplishments In successful organizations, the chief 4. Excellent records are kept achieved with donors’ support are executive is fully engaged in raising accomplishments of those supporters. revenue. He or she is the evangelist, and 5. Asks are properly made Our donors should be partners along the few people will ever be able to raise more of 6. Supporters are provided a way in that work and be given specific the organization’s necessary revenue than and ample credit for the critical role positive giving experience the keeper of the vision. they play. 7. Transparency is key The donor base Transparency is key is diversified with them. The same is true for prospects. Finally, successful organizations heed their Just like a good stock portfolio, a good Appropriate software is available for this responsibility for full transparency in the development program is diversified. Wise purpose, and some of it is free. expenditure of a supporter’s gift. In order organizational leaders aggressively pursue to build long-term, trusting partnerships, multiple sources of ongoing funding. Asks are properly made donors must have a clear sense of how They use one-time financial grants for their gifts are being used and to what First, listen more and talk less. Ask projects or people they can afford to fund measurable end. from other sources the next year. Poorly- appropriate questions to learn more managed organizations often fall into about the potential supporter’s priorities Many more column inches could be the trap of reliance on project support and needs. Summarize the key elements written outlining effective fundraising for long-term operations: This is a recipe of your presentation in a friendly manner. programs and opportunities for learning for failure. Because most supporters care more and mentoring these concepts. The main about what you will do rather than how point of this article can be summarized Opportunities you will do it, note the benefits of your as follows: Craft a prioritized, focused are prioritized programs rather than the features. Then development plan that responds effectively to the people whose needs and In any given period, far more make the request directly for a specific, priorities match your mission. Remember, opportunities exist than can be pursued. suitable gift. At that point, stop talking together, you and your donors can steer Success comes from choosing the and listen quietly and respectfully. the ship of state toward liberty. That’s opportunities that provide maximum Concisely answer any questions the transformational giving! benefit for the institute. Your donor has. In summary, if you genuinely development program will be successful respect your current and prospective donors, lasting relationships will develop Daniel Erspamer is if you thoughtfully identify and rank the vice president highest value opportunities and devise that benefit you, your institute and your for development systems to manage the rest. supporters. and Lynn Harsh is vice president of leadership development at SPN. Excellent records are Supporters are provided a Write them at [email protected] and kept and the development positive giving experience [email protected], respectively. database has capacity All donors must be thanked and recognized You must have an efficient and effective for their gifts. Ensuring positive and way to track your donors and your contacts valuable giving experiences is critical

SPN NEWS 4 January / February 2011 Keeping Score to Make a Difference

By Peter Cowley daily newspapers that covered the report Further, as the publisher of what is certainly One way for a think tank to build cards in depth. the most widely publicized education greater recognition and credibility with story in Canada each year, the Institute’s Moreover, because Institute staff acquire, politicians, government officials, the reputation with the media as a credible check and analyze the extensive data media, supporters and the public at large source of commentary on a wide variety upon which each report card is based, is to produce information products that are of issues in education and other fields is valuable to individual families. we have compiled a solid foundation enhanced. For example, one of Canada’s of objective evidence that is invaluable largest media conglomerates was so For the Fraser Institute, our series of in preparation for public debate with pleased with the response to a major report cards that ranks local schools, education stakeholder groups on any feature it published around the release of based on academic performance, has been number of education-related issues. one province’s report card, its editorial staff extraordinarily successful in specifically asked us to offer doing just that. Starting in them more major features on 1998 with the publication of other areas of public policy. “A Secondary Schools Report Card for British Columbia,” Finally, the report cards the series now includes make a useful calling card for annual ranking of more the Institute’s development than 7,500 schools enrolling staff. In conversations with nearly four million students potential supporters we find in the Canadian provinces that inevitably someone in of Ontario, Quebec, Alberta their families has used the and British Columbia as well report card and values its as the state of Washington. contents. Such recognition makes the introduction Of course, the report cards’ of the Institute and its main objective is to provide work much easier and, parents, teachers and school undoubtedly, contributes district officials with an easy to the success that our to understand, objective development efforts enjoy. Discover why the Fraser Institute ranks and compares schools at assessment of how their local Youtube.com/FraserInstitute. schools are doing academically In short, the publication of school performance rankings has over time. The detailed academic In addition to their value in the Institute’s contributed a great deal to the success indicators, ratings and trend analyses are efforts to reform education, the report of the Fraser Institute since we began primarily delivered via a dedicated website cards also produce by-products that are producing them 13 years ago. We believe – CompareSchoolRankings.org – created vitally important to attaining the Institute’s to showcase the findings. Visitors to the site strongly that other think tanks can reap overall goals. For example, the report cards are also able to easily compare a school’s similar benefits by choosing to produce substantially contribute to the recognition results, on both the individual academic similar products. We'd be happy to hear of the Institute’s brand and the perception indicators and the overall ranking, with from you if you think we can assist your of the Institute as a reliable source of those of other schools. organization. credible public policy research among the And the report card results reach a general public. Peter Cowley is director of school wide audience. In 2010, based on performance studies at the Fraser After all, just about everyone has a Institute. Reach him at website traffic analysis, we estimate [email protected]. CompareSchoolRankings.org served up teacher in the family, a child or grandchild individual school report cards to 40 percent attending school, or a personal interest in of Canadian families with students enrolled the standing of the schools they attended as in schools included in the report card. In students, and most of these people accept addition, hundreds of thousands more the report cards as a valuable source of found the report card results in one of the information on school performance.

SPN NEWS 5 January / February 2011 Let Peer Review Strengthen Your Organization

By Greg Kaza

Peer review material published in professional Laureate, is closely associated with the idea that socialism does not work due to the lack journals is the gold-standard of market-based research. of a price system. Hayek also spent part of It can be an integral part of establishing a market-based 1950 at the University of Arkansas. This think tank’s credibility to news media and policymakers, makes him an ideal person to cite in our newspaper opinion pieces opposing current including elected officials. neo-socialist policies.

Scholars in a peer-review environment In 2006, a journal published Policy One criticism of Hayek is that his work submit their original research to an Foundation research on an economic isn’t taken seriously by leading economic academic journal, which makes an internal topic, which grew out of a 2002 Foundation institutions. Yet three of my journal determination whether the material memo. Our research was cited by Arkansas articles found voluminous references to qualifies for potential publication. Journal Attorney General Mike Beebe, a Democrat, Hayek and Austrian School economists editors are seeking articles that build upon in a formal opinion. in reviews published by Federal Reserve the established body of knowledge in a System member banks, National Bureau of profession, whether economics, law or Economic Research business cycle studies another field. Research that passes this and the American Economic Review. The internal filter is subjected to an external Peer review AER published an annual reference to this material published double-blind review process whose in professional market-based school for nearly a century! referees are academics with specialized journals, the Arkansas is a small state, once graced with gold-standard of knowledge in a field. market-based a future Laureate. The episode led to earned research, can be media citing Hayek against socialism. Referees in this private review process an integral part of establishing Market-based think tanks already have either accept or reject the submission. a think tank’s It’s also common for referees to suggest credibility. a connection to peer-review research: revisions prior to publication. Published their board of scholars. Many scholars The Foundation, in this multi-year period, articles are then subjected to public have published in journals. An abstract advanced the idea that Arkansas’ regressive scrutiny. These include “notes” that inventory may uncover one with application grocery tax should be repealed. Beebe was complement the scholar’s work or to a topical issue in your state. Findings elected governor, and led a Democratic “comments” that criticize its conclusions should be cited in your reports and op-eds. legislature to cut the tax – not once, but Next, encourage senior staff to familiarize and lead to author “replies.” This entire twice. This resulted in the largest tax cut themselves with abstracts at libraries, and process can take years to run its course, in Arkansas history. The Foundation’s role adapt viewpoints or reports into notes and with good cause. The goal through all was ancillary but our peer research was the articles. Cite those notes and articles in stages (internal, external, private, public) catalyst cementing our image as a mature your work when they are published. is to add to the scholarly knowledge in group whose ideas are taken seriously by a field. public officials. The peer-review process is often lengthy. But the results from the effort can be golden to One criticism of peer review is that it Reviews are another type of article. They your market-based organization. emphasizes the think, not do side mission may examine all articles published on a of a market-based organization. I contend specific topic in journals or in a flagship Greg Kaza is executive director of these two missions are not mutually journal like the American Economic the Arkansas Policy Foundation. exclusive. Peer-review emphasizes thinking Contact him at kaza@ Review. Following is another example with arkansaspolicyfoundation.org. but it can also result in action, even in a practical application to Arkansas. a state like Arkansas, governed since Reconstruction by liberal, populist or The late Austrian economist Friedrich centrist Democrats. Here is one example: Hayek (1899-1992), the 1974 Nobel

SPN NEWS 6 January / February 2011 and more. Additionally, II is releasing an executive summary with all of its major points and conclusions. The importance of this project for Colorado cannot be overstated. For further information contact the Institute at i2i.org.

CONNECTICUT

How many times is it said that a group is “going to appeal this thing all the way to the United New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie keynoted the 2010 Goldwater Annual Dinner on Nov. 18, telling the more than 1,000 attendees that his spending reductions are already turning the Garden State’s economic situation around. States Supreme Court”? Given that the Court accepts less than two ARIZONA equivalent of 48 years of full-time recommended ending double- percent of petitions, it’s noteworthy work. goldwaterinstitute.org dipping in terms of compensation. that the Supreme Court will The Road Map also states all hear McComish v. Bennett, an This spring the Goldwater ARKANSAS lobbyist expenditures should be Arizona case challenging the Institute will argue its first case reported and proposes a searchable constitutionality of taxpayer- before the U.S. Supreme Court. check register of state expenditures. funded campaigns. The Yankee The Court will hear arguments arkansaspolicyfoundation.com Institute, Goldwater Institute, against Arizona’s “Clean Elections” Cato Institute and Center for TheArkansas Policy Foundation system, which gives taxpayer- Competitive Politics brought the released its biennial “Road Map Colorado funded candidates matching case to the Court. Oral arguments for Arkansas Prosperity,” which funds when their privately- take place early this year and a advances five fiscal reforms, three funded opponent spends money decision is expected this term. education recommendations, campaigning. The Institute asked a yankeeinstitute.org opposition to nationalized medical federal court to block a provision of insurance and legislative ethics It is no secret: Colorado’s state Obamacare that prevents Congress reform. The Road Map proposes budget is, again, in fiscal crisis. DELAWARE from repealing the Independent a state-spending freeze to pay Next year is even worse as the state Payment Advisory Board: a newly- for reductions in the Arkansas is facing a billion-dollar shortfall created, unregulated board meant grocery, capital gains and income that no amount of accounting Delaware is a cap-and-trade state. to control health care costs. tax rates. It recommends lifting the tricks can close. This is why Tired of waiting for the federal Goldwater Institute investigative cap on Arkansas charter schools, Independence Institute’s Citizen’s government to pass a law related to journalist Mark Flatten released including the Virtual Academy, Budget project is so important. carbon taxing, a group of 10 states “Undisciplined Bureaucracy,” a and consolidation of education With the help of a team led by Penn ratified the Regional Greenhouse report on the difficulty of firing service cooperatives into one Pfiffner, II offers legislative policy Gas Initiative a few years ago, and problem government workers. unit. Obamacare is a burden and constitutional solutions to the the economic harm is starting to Flatten discovered instances in on Arkansas taxpayers, though budget problems – without raising show. Delaware has gone from which employees threatened executive branch officials are in taxes or fees. Independence producing more than 80 percent bosses, falsified documents or denial about budget exposure. considers it the pathway to of its energy needs to just over slept on the job and still couldn’t Legislators should understand sustainable government. The 50 percent, due to the higher be terminated. Over a two-year nationalized medical insurance Institute is rolling out its 170-page costs of production associated period, Arizona state agencies includes “a deceptive funding Citizen’s Budget now. Chapters with the carbon credits. That put employees under disciplinary mechanism” for added benefits. include scholarship on health care, equals jobs and no state can afford investigation on paid leave for The Foundation’s interest in ethics K-12 education, higher education, fewer jobs right now. Caesar a combined 100,000 hours: the reform dates to 1998 when it corrections, transportation, energy Rodney Institute is engaged

SPN NEWS 7 January / February 2011 in this issue and will lead the GEORGIA Grassroot’s newest discuss ways to improve Idaho’s fight for Delaware’s withdrawal weapon in its fight tax policies. Early in 2011, IFF will from this harmful cooperative for government release both an 80-page report on as it introduces its new Center accountability in government waste and a report on for Energy Competitiveness. In the Aloha State. Site school union contracts. IFF will Frances Nuar addition to considering energy The Georgia Public Policy visitors can browse also serve as the lead organizer of issues, CRI will offer state budget Foundation, which turns 20 in payments, spending and salary the Tea Party/patriot group rally solutions that do not raise taxes 2011, is well-positioned to work ranges at the state and county and educational summit to be held and will promote advancements closely with Georgia’s leaders. levels. The “pork alert” is proving as the Legislature gets underway. for charter schools in Delaware. Foundation chairman Rogers to be the most popular feature idahofreedom.net caesarrodney.org Wade chaired the transition as users have flagged countless team for Gov. Nathan Deal and examples of suspicious spending. INDIANA GPPF strongly influenced policy HawaiiSunshine.org is helping FLORIDA approaches. The new year began GRIH and Hawaii taxpayers work with exciting enhancements. together to keep the pork out of the The Indiana Policy Review Investigative reporter Mike Klein state government and at the luau Foundation is working with has already broken several stories where it belongs. GRIH welcomes local businessmen, including Eagerly anticipating numerous and adds an ability to capture the Frances Nuar as its policy analyst. the publisher of a Hispanic opportunities in 2011’s liberty- impact of government policies Nuar, who interned with the newspaper, to raise funding for a minded milieu, James Madison on Georgians’ lives. The Forum Institute last winter, is stoked to study of how Hernando de Soto’s Institute is at work advancing the is a growing community website bring a fresh voice for liberty to work, highlighted in The Other cause of freedom and Founding at which Foundation experts and Hawaii. In January, GRIH hosted Path, might apply to economic principles. From president members interact. A bustling an event featuring nationally development in Indiana at the Bob McClure’s position with Facebook page, Twitter feed and syndicated talk show host Michael hyper-local level. Additionally, Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney Youtube channel complete the Medved. grassrootinstitute.org the staff is distributing white General Pam Bondi to JMI board Foundation’s move into the social papers and model legislation chairman Allan Bense’s with networking world. GPPF’s first IDAHO to Indiana editors on public- Agriculture Commissioner Adam Legislative Policy Briefing at the sector pension costs, secret union Putnam, JMI leaders, scholars, end of 2010 featured three dozen ballots, systemic education reform and staff have been tapped to national experts who addressed and the state’s inheritance tax. serve on every Cabinet transition 10 policy topics and drew 250 A digital version of the winter In November, the Idaho Freedom team, providing resources, input attendees, including more than journal, A Government of Unions, Foundation helped university 50 legislators from both sides is available to registered members and advice. The Institute’s bread- students, representing the of the aisle. The second annual and guests at the Foundation’s and-butter activities continue: Conservative Student Coalition, Education Reform Conference was website, inpolicy.org. providing legislative issue analyses bring constitutional scholar enormously successful. Bring on and committee testimony on Thomas Woods to Boise for an year 20! gppf.org topics from property insurance event that drew more than 500 IOWA reform to self-governance and 10th people. Woods is the author of Hawaii Amendment rights. In January, the Nullification, which describes Institute published “Protecting historical state efforts to limit the Florida’s Cities through Pension power of the federal government. Reform,” by senior fellow Afterward, the Idaho Freedom The Public Interest Institute Dr. Randall Holcombe, to be Foundation convened a meeting released research analyst Deborah followed by the Winter 2011 Journal Grassroot Institute unveiled featuring Woods, the governor Thornton's study, “A Great with articles focused on critical its new transparency site and legislative leaders to discuss Devourer of Good Men.” Going policy issues in the new leadership HawaiiSunshine.org. The realistic ways for the state to to law school and becoming an environment. In February, JMI will interactive website is attracting fight federal tyranny. IFF also attorney has long been viewed host civics curriculum seminars attention, having already racked brought Jonathan Williams, of the as a fast track to the American at Florida Atlantic University. up 2,000 unique visitors – and American Legislative Exchange Dream of personal and financial jamesmadison.org counting. HawaiiSunshine.org is Council, to Coeur d’Alene to success. Many American

SPN NEWS 8 January / February 2011 showed that the education community’s assessment has stifled the future of Kentucky’s children. The policy implemented school-management procedures that remove all accountability for results by ensuring that incompetent teachers keep their Pelican Institute president Kevin Kane jobs and failing schools keep their (l to r) with Congressman Bill Cassidy doors open. The report garnered and IER's Robert Bradley at the Institute's energy policy forum in New state-wide media attention, as the Orleans. Institute appeared on television Obamacare and how lawmakers to advance education reform can minimize its damage and opposite the teachers’ union and implement more effective legislators opposed to school reforms. Among the Institute’s choice. On Dec. 9, Cato Institute Cato Institute executive vice president David Boaz speaks on the politics of forthcoming studies is an analysis freedom at a Bluegrass Institute donor event. vice president David Boaz spoke of how Obamacare could increase to supporters of the Bluegrass presidents and members of the state and helped frame the the state’s Medicaid burden and Institute on the politics of freedom Congress are attorneys. Prior debate in Topeka in January when a study on ways to expand digital at a luncheon. bipps.org to the 1800s, you became an the legislature convenes to rework learning opportunities at the K-12 attorney by “reading” law with the K-12 finance formula. KPI level. pelicaninstitute.org an established member of the also hosted Sandi Jacobs from Louisiana profession. Today one must go to the National Council on Teacher MAINE a three-year law school, graduate Quality before a diverse audience Pelican Institute with upwards of $100,000 in of education stakeholders. Media www.pelicaninstitute.org debt for a law degree, spend coverage and elected-official The Pelican Institute recently additional money on bar exam turnout made this event a success Maine Heritage Policy Council hosted an energy policy forum preparation courses and still and exposed many local educators chief executive officer Tarren with Robert Bradley, founder might not find a job in today’s to KPI for the first time. This two- Bragdon selected by Maine and CEO of the Institute for economy. Thornton explores the pronged approach helped KPI Governor-elect Paul LePage to Energy Research. Bradley spoke issues of college costs, student loan move beyond merely pointing out serve as his transition co-chair. to a group that featured many debt and employment prospects Bragdon’s responsibilities that Kansas’ K-12 finance system is leaders from the New Orleans for law school graduates. include helping to identify and broken so the Institute can be seen business community. His talk, limitedgovernment.org recruit high-caliber candidates as a group fighting for students. “Government vs. Prosperity: for cabinet posts within Maine kansaspolicy.org How U.S. Energy Policy Harms government – candidates with a KANSAS Louisiana and the Nation,” strong commitment to individual KENTUCKY addressed the failures of liberty and the free market. The renewable energy and the impact governor-elect also named of the Obama Administration’s As 2010 ended, Kansas Policy effort to shut down drilling in the Institute continued to focus On Nov. 22, the Bluegrass Gulf of Mexico. Also speaking on the financing of education. Institute released groundbreaking was U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy, who KPI’s newest paper from Dr. Art research and analysis challenging just the day before had been Hall, “Profile and Comparison the very credibility of Kentucky’s appointed to serve on the Energy of Kansas K-12 Employment Department of Education, and Commerce Committee in the Levels,” represented the first which has spun data and misled 112th Congress. Next up for the time taxpayers could compare parents, taxpayers and lawmakers Institute is the Shreveport Health enrollment, employment and throughout the 20 years of the Care Forum featuring Michael MHPC CEO Tarren Bragdon was costs. The paper has already state’s reform policy KERA. The Tanner of the Cato Institute. chosen to serve as transition co-chair generated media coverage around Institute’s report and commentary Tanner will discuss the impact of to Maine's governor-elect.

SPN NEWS 9 January / February 2011 Bragdon to serve as co-chair of release, the Journal has received his Budget Working Group. In considerable press attention this role, Bragdon will help lead a concerning property taxes 10-member team of public- and as Baltimore gears up for the private-sector leaders to develop upcoming mayoral election. In a budget plan that closes a nearly other news, the Institute welcomed $1 billion shortfall without raising Amber Schwartz as the director taxes or fees. mainepolicy.org of donor relations. Schwartz, who previously worked at The MARYLAND Heritage Foundation, can be reached at aschwartz@mdpolicy

.org. mdpolicy.org Freshmen legislators attend the Freedom Foundation of Minnesota's policy orientation along with the keynote speaker, nationally-syndicated talk-radio host A Calvert Institute-sponsored Jason Lewis (second row, tan jacket) MINNESOTA article on the failure of the Obama administration and Congress equipped with good free-market attention, including a television to address the problem of policy alternatives thanks to report in which the spokesman for the the State Department of Education youth unemployment appeared Recent publications by the Center Freedom Foundation of admitted, “There is no excuse,” Nov. 22 in the Baltimore Sun. of the American Experiment Minnesota. In December, over for spending $600,000 on food This was followed Nov. 26 with include columns by president Mitch half of the freshmen class attended for business meetings last year. a 45-minute appearance by the Pearlstein on the connections an all-day policy orientation that He said the department will now executive director on C-SPAN's between family fragmentation, featured policy experts, model use webinars and other methods Washington Journal. The Institute's deepening class divisions and legislation and research on some of conducting meetings. MCPP is study of pension problems potential national decline, and of the toughest issues facing preparing for the 2011 elections, continues to draw attention, most another on the limitations on Minnesota. Key issue discussions when legislative seats will be notably in a Fox-45 special report. educators if students aren’t focused on what the legislature on the ballot. MCPP’s Leading calvertinstitute.org engaged in learning. After a speech can do to stop implementation Toward Liberty campaign will Pearlstein gave on public health, of Obamacare, as well as policy provide candidates and the public an audience member asked him alternatives for solving Minnesota’s with specific, principled ideas for if government might fade away projected $6.2 billion budget addressing state policy issues. The Maryland Public Policy now that Republicans controlled deficit. The keynote speaker was Institute released The Maryland the Legislature. In response, he nationally-syndicated talk-radio mspolicy.org Journal in December. The first said he viewed the question as host Jason Lewis, who outlined the edition of the annual peer- rhetorical. Policy fellow Peter importance of federalism to ensure Missouri Nelson argued in a column that the balance of power envisioned Minnesota ought to say, “Thanks, by our Founding Fathers. The but no thanks,” to Washington’s incoming legislators ended the offer of increased Medicaid day by receiving massive policy- funding. Senior fellow Kent briefing books from the Freedom Kaiser wrote a widely-distributed Foundation, as well as a copy of In October, famed economist Art column on Minnesota’s obligation Lewis’ new book on federalism. Laffer addressed a large crowd of supporters at to increase non-ferrous mining, freedomfoundat ionofminnesota.com Show-Me Institute plus another on Voter ID and how the Institute’s first open house in its new office, a restored home in its political moment may have Mississippi reviewed scholarly journal the Central West End of St. Louis. arrived. americanexperiment.org identifies and studies the long- In conjunction with the event, term policy issues facing Maryland, the Institute released a new essay including electricity markets, by Laffer, which explains that physician reimbursement rates, The Mississippi Center for eliminating the state income tax property taxes, teacher pensions The historic 2011 legislative Public Policy transparency would have widespread benefits and other post-employment session is in full swing and the website, SeeTheSpending.org, for Missouri. In November, the benefits liabilities. Since its 60 freshmen members are well- has garnered extensive media Institute co-sponsored two public

SPN NEWS 10 January / February 2011 lectures by world-renowned chess more than 1.5 million people, and it player and political activist Garry generated a 50 percent increase in Kasparov, who spoke about his unique visitors to NPRI’s website. efforts to promote democracy NPRI’s outreach continues to in Russia. In December, the multiply in Nevada. Since the Institute released two new policy election, NPRI has tripled the size studies. The first is a review of its email list and its number of of international literature that fans on Facebook. npri.org examines the economic effects of income taxation. The other NEW JERSEY study compares defined-benefit and defined-contribution pension plans and identifies policies to Former North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley enters a guilty plea to a felony make retirement plans more campaign-finance charge in a Raleigh courtroom. Easley’s conviction followed effective, with the goal of advancing four years of investigation by the John Locke Foundation’s The Common Sense Institute Carolina Journal. CJ photo by Don Carrington liberty and responsibility. of New Jersey has named David widespread interest in the media. while New York City pension showmeinstitute.org C. Hespe as education fellow. The Foundation is surveying the funds have unfunded liabilities Hespe is an acting superintendent public on which cuts it believes of $76 billion. Moreover, in the NEVADA of a local school district. From are most needed. More than 1,500 next five years, tax-funded annual 1999 to 2001 he was New Jersey New Mexicans have taken the contributions to one of the state’s Commissioner of Education. Long survey. Government transparency pension funds will quadruple. known as an education reformer, is at the core of the Foundation’s The full report is featured at Hespe has already authored a mission and it was quite pleased EmpireCenter.org. The Center The Nevada Policy Research blueprint for managing New Jersey that New Mexico launched also created an online calculator Institute is pleased to announce public schools as the state enters that allows users to estimate the the creation of the Center for Justice a school choice era. The blueprint SunshinePortalNM.com more than pension they’d collect after a career and Constitutional Litigation, with is the result of groundbreaking six months earlier than expected. as a general employee of New Joe Becker as the Center’s director. work between the Institute and the The Foundation is working to add York State or local government School of Education at Monmouth data from the public schools to – and how much one would need University. It is the first work the site. Lastly, the Foundation Joe Becker, director to save to replicate that pension of NPRI’s new in an ongoing project that will continues to promote and build Center for Justice income. The calculator is featured use science-based techniques to support for the “Florida Model” and Constitutional at NYPensionBomb.org, a new Litigation measure teacher effectiveness, for K-12 reform. The incoming Empire Center website dedicated bring together advocates and Republican governor is expected CJCL’s mission is to protect to the pension issue. administrators, and ultimately save to make reform along these lines fundamental rights through taxpayer dollars. Hespe received a central focus of her agenda. precedent-setting cases. NPRI NORTH CAROLINA a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris riograndefoundation.org earned substantial media coverage Doctorate degree from Rutgers with CJCL’s launch, including University. csinj.org NEW YORK numerous radio interviews, news articles and a front-page editorial Four years after the John Locke NEW MEXICO in Nevada’s largest newspaper, Foundation’s Carolina Journal which praised CJCL’s potential TheEmpire Center for New York first raised questions about his to protect individual rights. To State Policy’s latest report, “New questionable conduct, former learn more about the Center, visit York’s Exploding Pension Costs,” North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley justice.npri.org. NPRI recently forecasts pension-funding trends entered a felony guilty plea to a completed a very successful New Mexico is facing a $400 for New York State retirement campaign-finance charge. Easley radio-ad campaign highlighting million budget deficit 2011. The funds. Among key findings, the became the first Tar Heel governor wasteful government spending in Rio Grande Foundation created report found that the state’s to be convicted of a felony for both Nevada and the nation. The a list of common-sense budget- retirement funds have combined activity linked to his government campaign’s estimated audience was cutting ideas that generated funding shortfalls of $120 billion, service. The Easley plea came just

SPN NEWS 11 January / February 2011 weeks after JLF research helped free-market thought. OCPA convince voters to reject all 14 president Michael Carnuccio local sales-tax increases placed on is serving on the Governor’s the ballot across the state. Other Working Group (transition team) recent JLF research highlighted for Government Reform. The the causes of North Carolina’s Council’s recently published No. 41 ranking in the Tax “Budget Book” is becoming a guide Foundation’s Business Tax in determining recommendations Climate Index, outlined potential to right-sizing state government. benefits from state regulatory Meanwhile, OCPA trustee Bob reform, spelled out details of Sullivan was chosen as Governor- a stellar ozone season, and elect Mary Fallin’s top economic offered recommendations for advisor. A Freshman Orientation a new Republican-led General was hosted by OCPA for newly- The Commonwealth Foundation welcomes its new public affairs director, Assembly’s first 100 days in office. elected members of the House of Jay Ostrich. On Feb. 26, Liz Cheney will help Representatives, while the Senate Our Economy,” by Todd Wynn Foundation hosted a key Jan. 17 JLF mark its 21st anniversary. Majority Caucus asked OCPA to and Torey Holderith. John Charles Policy Summit the day before the johnlocke.org conduct a presentation on how to spoke as a panelist at the Northwest Gubernatorial Inauguration in right-size government. In addition, Environmental Conference on Harrisburg. Joining in the fight lawmakers have asked OCPA to “Green Building Certification” and will be the new public affairs host a weekly breakfast during Steve Buckstein was a speaker at director Jay Ostrich, a captain in the legislative session to discuss TheJohn W. Pope Civitas Institute a Portland conference, “Moving the Air Force and veteran combat free-market policy solutions to recently unveiled the Civitas Beyond Protests: Charting a New challenges that face the state. There military journalist in the global Quiz. This interactive feature Course for Oregon,” sponsored by is no doubt, OCPA’s free market war on terror. He most recently challenges and educates citizens the Committee for a Libertarian ideas are on a roll in Oklahoma. returned from a tour in Baghdad. on North Carolina policy and Majority. Cascade will continue ocpathink.org commonwealthfoundation.org politics while exposing common its biennial Legislative Leadership state government myths. Website Forum series in the state OREGON Rhode Island visitors can test their knowledge capitol beginning in February. on specific topics, such as the cascadepolicy.org North Carolina budget, election laws and public school education. PENNSYLVANIA TheOcean State Policy Research The Institute also added a new Institute is pleased to announce tool on the Carolina Transparency In honor of National School Choice that Mike Stenhouse has been website listing earmarks Week, Cascade Policy Institute named the organization’s first requested by North Carolina analyst Christina Martin served TheCommonwealth Foundation executive director. Stenhouse senators and congressmen. as keynote speaker at the “You is proud that it has been a key earned an economics degree CarolinaTransparency.com Can Be ‘Superman’” recruiting seminar for potential school board part of beating back $1.5 billion from Harvard University and Citizens can search the list by members. She also led a school- in tax hikes, waste and other played major league baseball city, congressman or senator, plus choice roundtable for Cascade boondoggles in 2010, including for the Boston Red Sox, among read descriptions of each earmark. supporters. Cascade published 54 unnecessary state programs other teams. He has an extensive nccivitas.org two major reports: “Waiting for the Foundation identified. But it business background, and formerly Choice: Charter Schools, Waiting won’t stop there, Commonwealth served as chairman for the 2010 OKLAHOMA Lists and Obstacles to Expanding prepares to launch its blueprint for multi-partisan RI Clean Slate Educational Opportunities for transforming Pennsylvania and a campaign and as vice president on

Oregon’s Kids,” by Christina subsequent report, “Five Ways to the Rhode Island Special Olympics Martin and Rebecca Steele, and $5 Billion (And More),” detailing board of directors. Stenhouse TheOklahoma Council of Public “Renewable Energy Failure – Why what needs to get done to close the entered the public policy arena Affairs is emerging as an important Government Mandates Don’t budget gap and secure a prosperous earlier this year by founding catalyst in the advancement of Work and What TheyW ill do to future for the state. Then, the RefoundRI.org, with the mission

SPN NEWS 12 January / February 2011 across the state and most recently third of them students – to his the Department of Juvenile Justice Dec. 1 Ethan Allen Institute Coastal Evaluation Center to find presentation refuting “20 Myths out what students have to say about the Free Market” at about state spending. The teens St. Michael’s College. at DJJ suggested that politicians Environmental journalist turned spend tax dollars to fix the roads, nuclear advocate Gwyneth stop building fancy schools with Cravens, author of “Power to three football fields and visit their Save the World,” will be featured at facility to see how underfunded it the Institute’s Sheraton Economic is! scpolicycouncil.com Series, a State House Round Table, and a University of Vermont seminar on Jan. 20. In December New OSPRI executive director Mike TENNESSEE Stenhouse, in his days as a Montreal the Institute mailed a fact-filled Expos outfielder PR “Citizens Guide to Vermont of providing civics education C Proceeds from the sale of Gov. Rick Education” CD to every school TheT Tennessee Center for Perry’s book, Fed Up! will support to youth and other Rhode board chair and key legislators Policy Research is geared up for TPPF’s Center for Tenth Amendment Island residents utilizing sports Studies. and policy makers across the state. a new legislative session with a celebrities, such as Dwight Evans, EAI is cooperating with Tea Party significantly different makeup in The book, which opened on the John Hannah and Dennis Ray "Oil groups to promote showings of the General Assembly. The GOP New York Times best-seller list, Can" Boyd. The RefoundRI.org “Sick and Sicker,” a shattering now controls both houses and benefits the Foundation’s Center mission will be incorporated as a film exposé on the curse of the governorship for the first time for Tenth Amendment Studies. project under the OSPRI umbrella. government-run health care. since Reconstruction. In 2011, The Center organized a half-day OSPRI founder Bill Felkner will EAI founder and president John TCPR plans to promote education conference on federalism at the remain in the organization as McClaughry retired Dec. 31 as reform, tort reform and fiscal American Legislative Exchange director of policy and research. chief executive officer, but he will responsibility. TCPR participated in Council’s States and Nation Policy oceanstatepolicy.org continue to “pen inflammatory National School Choice Week and, Summit in Washington, D.C. On tracts.” ethanallen.org on Feb. 16, will host Dick Morris to Dec. 15, the Foundation hosted SOUTH CAROLINA discuss the importance of school a roundtable in Washington, VIRGINIA choice. In December and January, D.C. to debut RightOnCrime.com, TCPR pressed for recently-elected a national initiative promoting Gov. Bill Haslam to join the Florida conservative criminal justice health care lawsuit. Late last year, reform. Signatories of the Right South Carolina Governor-elect “I’ve drunk the kool-aid at this TCPR released its “Business- On Crime statement of principles Nikki Haley announced that luncheon. How do we get a virtual Friendly Cities Report,” ranking include Newt Gingrich, Grover South Carolina Policy Council school started?” Those were the the state’s 50 most populous cities Norquist, Edwin Meese, William president Ashley Landess will words of just one of more than according to their business climate. Bennett and several SPN think-tank serve on her Budget Crisis Task 60 local school officials after The report received more than 40 leaders. Two-thirds of the incoming Force. Haley referred to SCPC as hearing a presentation on the major mentions on television and members of the Texas House a “direct communication link to benefits of online learning at the radio and in newspapers across the participated in the Foundation’s the public” in media interviews Thomas Jefferson Institute’s state. tennesseepolicy.org new legislator-training programs following the announcement. Ninth Annual Education Policy this fall. Legislative reformers are also texaspolicy.com Luncheon in November. The Texas looking to SCPC for conservative luncheon sparked interest in budget reform ideas and briefings. VERMONT starting virtual schools in more This is an unprecedented than a dozen different school opportunity for SCPC to make The Texas Public Policy divisions. The Institute will an impact and provide reformers Foundation organized a four-day, release two education reports in with information to get spending seven-city tour to launch Gov. Rick January: the annual fiscal analysis under control in South Carolina. Perry’s new book, Fed Up! Our Fight The Cato Institute's Dr. Tom of a Florida-style education tax SCPC staff visited high schools to Save America from Washington. Palmer drew 300 listeners – a credit and a new study analyzing

SPN NEWS 13 January / February 2011 funding of virtual schools. More MacIver Institute was on the case. SPN Associate than 85 public- and private- Its news service broke several sto- Members sector representatives registered ries during the saga and MacIver for the Institute’s annual posted some leaked details about Washington Policy Center’s Innovations in Government the contracts, which generated recommendations prevailed in significant press coverage and Conference to hear reports seven of nine state-wide and local- the corresponding public uproar. and updates on components of ballot measures in November, During a contentious one-day This winter, the Gov. Bob McDonnell’s including the defeat of an 1851 Center session in Madison, the contracts spearheads the effort to Government Reform initiative to create a state income were defeated by one vote, with Commission. Jefferson tax. Three of these measures ensure Ohio’s legislators put president Mike Thompson lacked an organized “no” campaign many Capitol observers crediting the Ohio Health Care Freedom serves as the Governor’s Special and WPC was the only group the work of the MacIver Institute Amendment, which the Center Advisor to the Commission. educating citizens on the measures’ for scuttling what could have been drafted and litigated, on the thomasjeffersoninst.org pitfalls. As the state faces a $4.5 a quiet, back-room deal. After 2011 ballot. The Amendment billion deficit, WPC has played a ending 2010 on such a high note, has garnered more than 300,000 WASHINGTON key role in shaping the governor’s MacIver prepares to launch several signatures. On property rights, budget reform and reduction additional transparency initiatives after a trial court victory and an recommendations. WPC’s Jason in 2011. maciverinstitute.com appellate court defeat, the Center Mercier served on the Governor’s has asked the Ohio Supreme Court Wyoming “Transforming Washington’s to review the constitutionality of The CEO-torch has been passed Budget” committee and spoke at the the state’s smoking ban, as applied to a new generation – Lynn Harsh, governor’s recent press conference to bar owners, and the legality of a co-founder of the Evergreen announcing agency consolidation Based on assurances resulting from the methods of enforcement. Also Freedom Foundation, passed it and reductions. WPC has Ben Barr’s legal research, Shoshone in the Ohio Supreme Court, the to Jonathan Bechtle. Harsh and published two studies calling for tribe member and Wyoming 1851 Center is advocating for co-founder Bob Williams continue Medicaid to be transitioned into a Liberty Group staffer Regina taxpayer standing to sue and to serve as senior advisors. Jenny block grant program (as the federal Meena is discussing the possibility is opposing special privileges Andrews joins the Foundation as government did with welfare of a market-driven health care zone for large corporations. On the vice president of development. in 1996) and highlighting the with tribe leaders. Since federal subject of school choice, the Pollster Scott Rasmussen was the enormous Medicaid cost problems and state medical regulations do Center recently filed a brief in featured speaker at a Freedom created by national health care not apply on the reservation, the defense of its trial court victory Foundation event. Investigative reform. washingtonpolicy.org Group’s vision for quality-assured in response to Cincinnati Public journalist Scott St. Clair’s digging in-state medical tourism may not Schools’ appeal, which attempts into the campaign practices of Wisconsin be out of reach. This includes to defend its back-door attack State Rep. Geoff Simpson, caused some practices not yet legal in on the ability of charter schools Simpson to lash out in a profanity- the U.S., including integration to acquire needed facilities. laden screed that helped him to a of allopathic and alternative When a lame-duck Wisconsin leg- ohioconstitution.org 13-point defeat at the polls. The medicine; economically-efficient islature attempted to approve ret- Society of Professional Journalists business models and cutting- roactive labor contracts with their awarded the Foundation a grant edge technologies that are government employee unions, the to defray legal expenses in demonstrably affective. The Group public-records litigation. The continues to address Obamacare The American Council of Foundation’s Citizen Action and Medicaid challenges with Trustees and Alumni continues Network completed a series of other strategies such as Stephen to emphasize the need for quality training and educational programs Klein’s summaries for legislators instruction at an affordable price on the U.S. Constitution, led by of health care proposals, including for all college students. ACTA director of constitutional studies a health choice amendment to recently published “What’s Trent England and Citizen Action the Wyoming Constitution Happening Off the Field?” a report Network director Lasse Lund, and Sven Larson’s strategy for on tuition and other metrics in with a record 1,200 attendees in WPC’s Jason Mercier discusses a path out of federal Medicaid the Big 12 Conference. In recent 2011. effwa.org transforming Washington’s budget. funding. wyliberty.org years college tuition has risen an

SPN NEWS 14 January / February 2011 average of 21 percent nationwide, taxreformer, was moderated by of the Beacon Hill Institute but it increased 30 percent in the ATR president Grover Norquist presented its latest consensus Big 12. At the same time, spending and Daily Caller editor-in-chief revenue forecast to the on administration doubled at Tucker Carlson. The debate was Massachusetts Legislature. Upon three of the universities. The TheAmerican Tradition Institute, also aired live on C-SPAN. atr.org request by the state legislature, good news is that all the Big 12 a 501(c)3 public policy research and the Institute later released a schools have better than average educational foundation dedicated memorandum citing its above- SARY VER NNI graduation rates. The Platte to the study and examination of 30 A average record in forecasting Institute originally suggested the tax revenues. Of the 13 revenue project, which ACTA has shared forecasts made since 2003 that with other SPN groups in Big 12 Paul Chesser, Beginning Feb. 8, register online can be compared with actual executive director for the Atlas Network’s Atlas states. Check ACTA’s Facebook of the American revenues, BHI was the most page at Facebook.com/goacta to Tradition Institute Experience. It will take place accurate eight times. BHI will RY ERSA NIV find out what’s coming up in your April30 AN 27-28 in Dallas, and will soon complete its economic state. goacta.org environmental and energy policy, feature Whole Foods CEO John analysis of House 18-150, the “bag recently announced the hire of Mackey, Swedish scholar and tax” in the District of Columbia Paul Chesser as its first executive journalist Johan Norberg, and and its potential to destroy jobs. director. Chesser is also a senior NCPA president John Goodman. Along with the Boston office The American Legislative fellow for the Commonwealth Meet and network with fellow of the Canadian Consulate, the Exchange Council is pleased Foundation for Public Policy Freedom Champions from the Institute is planning a March 2011 to announce the publication of Awareness. He previously served conference on economic and trade its State Budget Reform Toolkit, as a special correspondent for the issues between New England and available at alec.org. States today Heartland Institute and as director John Mackey, CEO of Canada. Additionally, a celebration face structural deficits created of Climate Strategies Watch, Whole Foods is planned for the spring to mark which assessed the development by overspending. Most of the the 20th anniversary of BHI’s legislative “fixes” over the past of global warming policies in the U.S. and some of the world’s most founding. beaconhill.org few years for state budget gaps states. Prior to that Chesser was difficult countries, and attend the have been Band-aids that have associate editor for the John Locke Sir Antony Fisher International postponed or obscured the Foundation’s Carolina Journal Memorial Awards Luncheon. Also, problems rather than addressing from 2001 to 2007. His articles have Atlas is now accepting applications them directly. This toolkit appeared in dozens of newspapers for the 2011 Templeton Freedom In January, the Cato Institute advances a set of budget and across the country, including The Awards, which recognize held its fifth annual State Health procurement best practices to Washington Post, The Washington outstanding work by independent Policy Summit in Orlando. The guide state policymakers as they Times, the Washington Examiner think tanks with $160,000 in Summit featured a keynote work to solve current budget and the New York Post. Chesser total prize money. Previous address by Florida Gov. Rick shortfalls. The toolkit assists is also a regular contributor U.S. winners include the Goldwater Scott and gathered more than 45 legislators in prioritizing and and blogger for American Institute and Sam Adams Alliance. organizations together for two days more efficiently delivering core Spectator Online. atinstitute.org Additionally, be sure to check out of health policy discussion. Cato government services through Atlas’s SoundMoneyProject.org was also thrilled to participate Jeffersonian principles. Despite to download “A Guide to Sound in the first-ever National School the economic difficulties facing Money,” by Atlas senior fellow Choice Week by hosting a policy the states, there is a pathway On Jan. 3, Americans for Tax Dr. Judy Shelton. Finally, Atlas is forum on for-profit education. to budget reform. By following Reform and The Daily Caller pleased to announce staff addition The Institute looks forward to the policies suggested in this hosted the RNC Chairman’s Matt Warner in 2010 as director of the Feb. 16 launch of its newest ALEC Budget Reform Toolkit, Debate at the National Press Club. U.S. programs. atlasnetwork.org. book, The False Promise of Green lawmakers can make informed All candidates participated in the Energy, edited by senior fellow decisions and build a solid debate, which was attended by Jerry Taylor. The book critically budget focused on delivering more than 500 people and over and realistically evaluates the the best results for taxpayers and 70 national and international claims of green energy and green users of government services. media outlets. The debate, which In December 2010, economists jobs proponents, who argue that alec.org can be viewed at Youtube.com/ David Tuerck and Paul Bachman the economy and the environment

SPN NEWS 15 January / February 2011 can be improved, almost risk-free, initiative rights include: voters in For more information, contact In addition to assisting with critical by spending billions upon billions Oklahoma passing a measure that Ryan Williams at rwilliams@ mid- and senior-level searches, of taxpayer dollars on what are reduces the number of signatures claremont.org or The Claremont Talent Market also consults and ultimately false promises. cato.org needed for an initiative to make the Institute, 937 W. Foothill Blvd., presents on a variety of topics ballot; a federal court overturning Ste. E, Claremont, Calif. 91711. related to hiring talent. Some of its Ohio’s residency requirement; and claremont.org recent clients include impressive voters in Arizona defeating a ballot state-based organizations such measure to reduce the circulation as the Pelican Institute, Ocean

The Center for Competitive period for gathering signatures. State Policy Research Institute,

Politics recently released the In addition to these triumphs, Commonwealth Foundation, The Competitive Enterprise “2010 Election Law Handbook the Foundation’s grassroots Montana Policy Institute, Illinois Institute is an official co-sponsor For Legislators and State network defeated restrictive Policy Institute, Nevada Policy of CPAC, which will be held Policymakers.” The handbook and undemocratic legislation Research Institute, North Dakota Feb. 10-12 in Washington, focuses on important issues in a number of states, while Policy Council and Tennessee D.C. The Institute hopes you will Center for Policy Research. TM likely to arise for lawmakers and also passing positive reforms. stop by its booth in the exhibit hall has also assisted a multitude of state policy advocates during This looks to be another banner and say hello. CEI’s “Agenda for national organizations. All of this year’s legislative session. year as the broad-based initiative Congress” is now available, offering Talent Market’s services are free, Topics covered include: campaign movement continues to grow, a compelling list of bipartisan so it relies on the generosity of finance limits, tax financing for putting more power in the hands of regulatory reform action items, donors to keep the ship afloat. political campaigns, redistricting, citizens for holding elected officials such as: opening up domestic Valentine’s Day is coming up, so national popular vote proposals, accountable. citizensincharge.org oil drilling, holding regulators spread the love by telling a donor judicial elections and election more accountable and liberalizing how much your organization has administration issues. The telecommunications. Visit benefited from Talent Market. handbook includes important legal cei.org/congress. As state donorstrust.org cases as well as a comprehensive challenges to Obamacare proceed The Claremont Institute is background, general policy through the courts, CEI is accepting applications for its guidelines and further reading representing Gov. Tim Pawlenty 2011 educational fellowships. The suggestions on each topic. CCP and Gov. Donald Carcieri in an looks forward to working with Publius Fellowship is an intensive For the past 49 years, the two-week summer course in SPN groups and state legislators Foundation for Economic American political thought and Education has sought to in 2011 on more detailed policy Julie Taylor, journalism. It is for college seniors analyses and suggestions to vice president of educate, inspire and connect and graduate students who have development of CEI further political liberty in the high school and college students demonstrated the potential to on free-markets and the states. Download the handbook at amicus brief in support of Florida’s distinguish themselves in public freedom philosophy through campaignfreedom.org. To receive lawsuit. In staff news, CEI is pleased policy or political journalism. The its annual summer seminars. a hard copy, email CCP’s director to announce its new vice president Lincoln Fellowship is a one-week Its distinguished faculty and of research and government for development, Julie Taylor. course for young public policy liberty-loving colleagues create relations, Laura Renz, at lrenz@ Meanwhile, CEI president and professionals. The heart of both an environment both challenging campaignfreedom.org. founder Fred L. Smith, Jr., marked programs is a series of educational his 70th birthday in December. seminars on the American Mark your 2011 calendar! CEI’s Founding, the Civil War, the annual gala dinner will be June growth of the welfare state, and the 8 in Washington, D.C. cei.org In 2010, Citizens in Charge and contemporary disputes between

Citizens in Charge Foundation liberalism and conservatism. experienced great success working The Institute then applies these DonorsTrust Building a Legacy of Liberty to protect and expand citizen lessons to current issues such initiative rights around the as property rights, excessive Talent Market, a project of country. The groups aim to build government regulation, the DonorsTrust, wrapped up 2010 by on that record in 2011. Some of health care battle, environmental celebrating its 64th placement in last year’s biggest victories for policy and religious freedom. the free-market nonprofit sector.

SPN NEWS 16 January / February 2011 and enlightening, providing innovative program into the what is consistently regarded United States with its successful as a memorable, life-changing Washington School Report Card. seminar. This summer, FEE invites Now, the Institute would like to you to take part in the battle of partner with your organization ideas. Visit fee.org/seminars for to do the same thing in your a complete list of seminars and state. The Fraser Institute’s School more details. fee.org Report Cards collect a variety of relevant indicators of performance into a user-friendly website that allows parents to In August, the Foundation for track individual academic Excellence in Education launched performance and compare the Digital Learning Council, a scores with other schools. To diverse group of leaders in education, experience the website first-hand, Galen Institute president Grace-Marie Turner discusses the complexity of Obamacare at the Nov. 30 forum “Challenges and Changes: The next chapter in government, philanthropy, visit compareschoolrankings.org. the health reform debate.” Photo credit: Ken Cedeno business, technology and policy Contact Peter Cowley at 800-665- brought together to develop policies 3558 to discuss how the program Fred Thompson Show” to discuss fellow at the Cato Institute. Best to advance digital learning. Last can support the education the subject. FSF’s distinguished known for developing a privatized month, former Governors Jeb Bush work of your organization. adjunct senior fellow, Deborah pension system for Chile, Piñera and Bob Wise unveiled “The 10 Sign up for the newsletter at Taylor Tate, a former FCC spoke to students about the “pension Elements of High Quality Digital [email protected]. commissioner, has published revolution.” TFAS looks forward to Learning.” Developed by the Digital fraserinstitute.org commentaries in the Nashville its annual spring conference April 14 Learning Council, the elements Tennessean and the Sacramento and 15 in Washington, D.C. tfas.org outline a roadmap to show local, Bee. freestatefoundation.org state and federal officials how to integrate digital learning The Free State Foundation into education. Technology has the recently named Kathee Baker as power and scalability to customize its communications and events education so each and every Coordinator. Baker brings a wealth student learns in their own style at of experience in these areas to the In 2010, The Fund for American In addition to monthly calls for their own pace. Online and blended Foundation. FSF’s Third Annual Studies delivered its message learning holds the promise of Winter Telecom Policy Conference of freedom and individual state legislators and think tanks on extending high-quality instruction will be held Feb. 4 at the National responsibility to more than the health law and state responses, to every student in America. With Press Club. FCC commissioner 1,000 students from around the Galen Institute hosted several digital learning schools will be more Meredith Baker will be a featured the world. Former Virginia U.S. events this fall and winter. In productive, teachers will have new keynoter, and panelists will include Rep. Thomas Davis concluded the October, Galen joined forces with tools and students will learn more. leading industry executives, year by delivering remarks to 49 the Institute for Policy Innovation excelined.org senior government officials from graduating Fall Capital Semester to host a Capitol Hill briefing, the FCC and Congress, and students. In January, a new class “Medicaid and ObamaCare: The

notable academics. Hot topics in of students from across the United impact of the health overhaul law on communications policy will be States and around the world the states.” Galen again partnered addressed, including net neutrality, arrived in Washington, D.C. for the with IPI and the American Action broadband policy, spectrum Spring Capital Semester program. Forum in November for the forum reform and media regulation. Meanwhile overseas, TFAS held “Challenges and Changes: The next The Fraser Institute has been FSF president Randolph May’s its Institute for Leadership in the chapter in the health reform debate.” measuring and ranking school commentaries arguing against Americas in Santiago, Chile. Over Panelists, including state legislators performance since 1998 and now the FCC net neutrality regulation 45 students attended the two- and health policy experts, discussed produces the most recognized have been published recently by week program, which included a the health law on federal and state series of rankings in Canada. the National Review and CBS. presentation by Chilean economist levels, and keynote speakers were The Institute has expanded this com; he also appeared on “The José Piñera, senior distinguished U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, M.D.,

SPN NEWS 17 January / February 2011 U.S. Rep. John Shadegg and U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden. Galen Institute president Grace-Marie Turner also released a new paper: “9 things states can do to push back against ObamaCare,” available at: http://bit.ly/ebXPfw. galen.org

The Heartland Institute produced a booklet laying out seven “big ideas” on which the 112th Congress should act to keep the promises made to voters in health care, education, federal spending, insurance and technology. In IJ client Kim Houghton displays a print of her banned mural, which Arlington County, Virginia, officials deem a sign. compiling the guide, the Institute representatives in Washington, crisis, personalized to each user’s write research studies, speak at polled its staff of some 37 editors, D.C. with a roadmap for age, income and level of education. events or on panels, provide expert legislative specialists, senior governance. Along with The Wall Enhancements include showing testimony or serve on advisory fellows and public policy experts Street Journal, Heritage released boards. After several decades in addition to the 130 academics the 2011 Index of Economic of running higher education and professional economists who Freedom. The 17th annual Index programs, IHS has built an serve as Heartland policy advisors. ranks the economic, fiscal and trade each user his or her share of total extensive network of intellectuals They submitted proposals meeting policies of more than 180 countries long-term government spending, who are passionate about three criteria: ideas had to be new, and showed a further decline in including that financed by debt freedom. The network consists realistic and direction-changing. the United States’ standing in as well as by taxes. This critical of several thousand liberty- Good public policy comes from the world. Additionally, Heritage addition reveals the unfunded friendly professionals and faculty good ideas. The Heartland continued its Understanding liabilities for entitlements like members across a spectrum of Institute created the booklet to America series, which uses Social Security, Medicare and disciplines, including economics, inspire Americans of all political topical booklets to explore the Medicaid that are simply rolled political science, public policy, ideologies to respond positively United States’ commitment to the over and purchased on credit. law, history and philosophy. IHS to November’s election results and universal truths of human equality Government debt means future will screen faculty according to work together for a freer and more and the right to self-government as taxes, and the Calculator makes your organization’s needs in order prosperous nation. heartland.org proclaimed in the Declaration of this truth visible to the naked eye. to match the right talent to your Independence. heritage.org Empowering the newly-informed, opportunity, and the service is the site also features topical blog free. To learn how IHS can help postings by the economists behind you, email Sarah Friederich at The Heritage Foundation released the Calculator, as well as links to [email protected]. “Slay the Beast,” a publication further information and resources. theihs.org outlining the overwhelming What is Washington’s spending independent.org financial challenges facing the 115 costing you? The Independent million Americans in the “debt- Institute is launching version 2.0 paying generation,” those between of its Government Cost Calculator The Institute for Justice is heading the ages of 5 and 30. As the new at MyGovCost.org. The improved back to the U.S. Supreme Court. Congress was seated, Heritage Calculator features a new user- The Institute for Humane The U.S. Supreme Court agreed released a series of publications, friendly interface allowing any Studies recently launched a new to hear a challenge brought by IJ titled “Constitutional Guidance American to clearly understand service, Find Scholars, to help to Arizona’s “Clean Elections” Act. for Lawmakers” to provide elected the full impact of the nation’s debt think tanks identify academics to The case, Arizona Free Enterprise

SPN NEWS 18 January / February 2011 address current economic plans in store for 2011 to increase many reformers who will work challenges, record deficits and traffic to the site even further. to improve North Carolina’s the shortage of jobs, along with intellectualtakeout.org colleges and universities over the many problems created by the next legislative session. The

President Obama’s health care John W. Pope Center for Higher reform legislation. WBAP’s Mark Education Policy is concentrating Davis emceed the event, and 10 on a few policy goals for the federal and state legislators were upcoming year. Its first priority also in attendance. Additionally, This coming summer The Jesse is to identify budget cuts for the IPI’s Merrill Matthews chaired Helms Center’s Free Enterprise UNC System, which makes up 14 a health care panel at SPN’s Leadership Challenge will add a percent of North Carolina’s total Washington, D.C. meeting on the third session at Houston Baptist spending every year. The Pope 10th Amendment and what states University in Texas. FELC, Center is also recommending can do to fight federal overreach. which has hosted more than policies to reform financial aid Former Speaker of the House Newt IPI also collaborated with the 6,000 high school students from rules, slow enrollment growth, Gingrich addresses the audience at IPI’s annual dinner, Reclaiming Galen Institute and American across the country since 1995, increase academic and financial Liberty! Action Network to host a major typically conducts two sessions transparency and decrease briefing on the many challenges mission creep at North Carolina’s Club’s Freedom Club PAC each summer at the Jesse Helms in the new health care legislation, 16 public colleges and universities. v. Bennett, challenges Arizona’s Center at Wingate University in featuring U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, and popecenter.org system of government-funded North Carolina. FELC is a unique Congressmen John Shadegg and political campaigns — one of five-day residential summer Michael Burgess. Join IPI March the broadest campaign finance program that teaches students the 2 on Capitol Hill for its 3rd annual regimes in the nation. IJ also fundamentals of entrepreneurship Communications Summit. ipi.org while instilling in them a basic recently launched its latest First In December, Judicial Watch understanding of capitalism, free- Amendment case. IJ filed suit released its 2010 list of market principles and the impact on behalf of entrepreneur Kim Washington’s “Ten Most Wanted of government on business. FELC Houghton against local bureaucrats Corrupt Politicians.” The list, differs from other economics who want to turn a playful mural Intellectual Takeout had in alphabetical order, includes: programs for high school students Kim had painted on the back wall a busy fourth quarter of 2010. Sen. Barbara Boxer, former Obama because it involves hands-on, of her business, “Wag More Dogs,” The Institute rolled out a pilot White House Chief of Staff Rahm experiential learning activities into a government-issued sign. marketing campaign on the issue Emanuel, Sen. John Ensign, that greatly enhance the students’ If the mural had dragons rather of the national debt aimed at young Rep. Barney Frank, Rep. Jesse understanding of the free- than dogs, Arlington County moms and members of Generation Jackson, Jr., President Barack enterprise system. Applications wouldn’t have a problem with Y. Additionally, in preparation Obama, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, are now being accepted for it. But because it features dogs for the marketing effort, IT Rep. Charles Rangel, rising sophomores, juniors and and bones and Kim’s business fundamentally redesigned its Rep. Hal Rogers and Rep. Maxine seniors. Information about FELC deals with dogs, Arlington County website, IntellectualTakeout Waters. In November, JW filed can be found on the Center’s considers the mural to be a sign, .org, in order to make it better an amicus curiae brief on behalf website under “Programs.” which is government-regulated. organized and easier to navigate. of Arizona State Senator Russell jessehelmscenter.org ij.org By the end of 2010, Intellectual Pearce in the U.S. Supreme Court Takeout had more than 100 topic supporting Arizona’s Legal Arizona pages including quotes, charts Workers Act, legislation crafted by and graphs, videos and primary Sen. Pearce to penalize Arizona documents on a variety of subjects November’s elections brought businesses that knowingly hire Former Speaker of the House Newt including education, economics new leadership to North Carolina’s illegal immigrants. In November, Gingrich delivered a significant and the environment. The month General Assembly. For the first JW also released results of its policy message at the Institute following the changes to the site time since Reconstruction, Election Day poll, which clearly for Policy Innovation’s annual saw traffic increase more than Republican lawmakers control demonstrate that voters reject big dinner, providing insights on 100 percent. Intellectual Takeout both the N.C. House and Senate. government, bailouts, secrecy and how the 112th Congress should has additional online marketing Among the new lawmakers are corruption. judicialwatch.org

SPN NEWS 19 January / February 2011 solutions for governmental reform member Mark Dayton took the Elaine F. Marshall, in her official through weekly original articles executive office. This presents capacity. The case centered around and podcasts; it also houses an both unique opportunities NCICL’s request for public records archive containing a wealth of and challenges for 2011-12. and for information pertaining The Leadership Institute research and articles on trimming Happy New Year from the to an apparent lobbying law trained 9,646 students in 2010 spending and making government Minnesota Free Market Institute. violation involving Spirit Aero. and over 91,000 since 1979. more efficient. How do outside mnfreemarketinstitute.org Judge Gessner concluded as a One of the students was Alonzo shareholder proposals influence matter of law that “the records Baldonado, a real estate salesman. publicly-traded corporations? and information sought by Plaintiff Baldonado, having never run for ProxyMonitor.org, a new website [… are] not confidential records office, attended LI’s week-long sponsored by the Manhattan or confidential information.” The The National Taxpayers Union Campaign Manager School. On Institute’s Center for Legal Policy, judge further concluded that Foundation’s post-election season Jan. 3, 2011, Baldonodo was sworn is a database storing all non- included a study of outgoing and the State’s actions violated not in as a newly-elected representative company proposals submitted incoming committee chairs in the only the public records laws but in the New Mexico State House. for shareholder vote on corporate U.S. House of Representatives. also Article I §§ 14 and 18 of the “This was my first time running proxy statements between 2008 Conclusion: outgoing chairs North Carolina Constitution. The for public office, and it was against to 2010 for the 100 largest sponsored an average of $804.9 State has been ordered to provide a political veteran,” Baldonado American public companies. billion in spending hikes in the the records NCICL requested. said. “It was a tough race, but LI manhattan-institute.org 111th Congress, compared to ncicl.org gave me the education needed to an average of $40.9 billion in run a successful campaign.” His spending cuts that their GOP campaign was filled with LI-trained replacements supported. Also, in volunteers and staff. Baldonodo is late November NTUF released just one of hundreds of winning The Minnesota Free a study on the foreign travel of candidates in the 2010 election Market Institute’s presidents. During the first half of recently who took advantage of Leadership Pacific Legal Foundation pension database, mnfree his term, President Barack Obama won a major victory for property Institute’s 40 types of training. marketinstitute.org/pensions, broke former President George rights in the Texas Supreme The Leadership Institute looks led by veteran researcher Bob H.W. Bush’s two-year record for Court case Severance v. Patterson, forward to identifying and training Shipman, the webmaster and going abroad, making 15 trips and thousands more conservatives in striking down a state law that analyst of BillAndVotes.com, and visiting 26 countries over a period regularly re-adjusted beachfront 2011. leadershipinstitute.org Kim Crockett, is the go-to place of 55 days. Study author Demian property boundaries to transfer for state pensions in Minnesota. Brady also made a coup for public land to the government. PLF Professor Barry Poulson will lead disclosure by securing a firm-cost also won a California lawsuit a panel to educate legislators estimate from military sources for challenging a city ordinance and other thought leaders in the operating cost of Air Force forcing property owners to give TheManhattan Institute recently 2011. Additionally, the Institute One: $181,757 per hour, about 80 up their rights to vote on certain launched two new websites. continues to build a coalition percent more than the previous property taxes in exchange Public employee unions and other designed to answer the green highest published figure.ntu.org for building permits. The groups dependent on taxpayer movement and looks forward to Foundation’s legal challenge to the funding have long pushed for releasing a study by the Beacon higher spending to benefit their Hill Institute quantifying the members, clients, employees and impact of Renewable Portfolio other stakeholders. The Institute Standards in Minnesota. John On Dec. 16, the Wake County LaPlante keeps the Institute’s Superior Court, under Presiding members up to date on the Judge Paul G. Gessner, handed constitutional challenges to the North Carolina Institute for created PublicSectorInc.org to Obamacare, as well as educational Constitutional Law a victory provide a national forum to probe policy. Minnesotans chose in its case against the State of problems and develop solutions divided power: the GOP took North Carolina, the North Carolina on issues in state and local the legislature and Minnesota Department of the Secretary governments. The website offers Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party of State, and Secretary of State PLF client Michael Munie

SPN NEWS 20 January / February 2011 Obama Administration’s health care mandate Sissel v. Department of Health and Human Services is awaiting a decision in federal trial court, and PLF’s economic liberty project is currently challenging an unconstitutional Missouri licensing law that requires new moving companies to get permission from all existing moving companies before being allowed to operate. PLF principal attorney Timothy Sandefur has been touring SPN member 2010 Students for Liberty regional conference in New York organizations throughout the country to promote his new book, “The Right to Earn A and citizen. Prizes have tripled Living: Economic Freedom And to $60,000. Winners will be The Law.” To invite Sandefur flown to Chicago and awarded to speak at your organization, at the April 8, 2011 ceremony. This past fall, Students For This new year promises to be a contact the Cato Institute’s samadamsalliance.org Liberty hosted nine regional busy one for Young America’s Diane Morris, [email protected]. conferences across the Foundation. This February pacificlegal.org U.S. Once again, the previous marks President Reagan’s 100th

records for regional conferences birthday, and to properly honor that were blown away. The 2010 SFL momentous event, the Foundation regional conference statistics has announced the Reagan 100. YAF South Carolinians for Responsible include, total attendees: 1133; will hold Reagan-inspired student Our 2011 program year will Government Foundation director total schools represented: 252; explore and celebrate the essence of research Neil Mellen authored a programs across the country. To average conference attendance of America, her history and her brutally honest white paper on the recognize the birthday itself, the 126 attendees; largest confer- people. Sam Adams Alliance’s fallacies of education funding in Foundation will host a birthday ence: Columbia University, 183 insightsLab will delve into the South Carolina. The paper explains event at its Reagan Ranch Center attendees; smallest conference: distinctly American brand of the basic structure of revenues in Santa Barbara, California, with Univ. of California–Berkeley, leadership through the lens of collected by public school districts a myriad of special guests. There 101 attendees. These regional American icons. SAM is proud with a particular focus on money conferences serve as the perfect has, as expected, been an increase to partner with the Reagan allocated by the state. Mellen also forum to make contact with stu- in demand for tours of President Centennial to study Ronald looked at funding levels over recent dent leaders in your area. Make Reagan’s beloved Rancho del Cielo Reagan’s legacy and generate years, pointing out surprising by students and supporters, and the insights to inspire generations trends along the way. The report sure your organization is rep- of American leaders to come. reminds its readers of the lack of resented at the 2011 confer- Foundation will continue to fulfill SAM will also continue to honor convincing data correlating funding ences. Just in case the network- those requests. YAF also named extraordinary Americans who reform and student-achievement ing opportunities aren’t incen- Reagan 100 Scholars who will travel are creating America’s future – levels. The Foundation also released tive enough, your organization to our nation’s college campuses and making history – at its 4th a 10-minute DVD, narrated by can participate at no cost. Build to teach about the importance annual Sammies celebration. U.S. Senator Jim DeMint, about the your listserv, distribute materi- of Ronald Reagan. Scholars als and find ideal candidates for This year’s theme, “Redrawing importance of school choice and include: Michael Reagan, Michelle the progress made in other states. seminars, internships and job the Lines,” refers to the redrawing Malkin, Dinesh D’Souza, Ben of battle lines in American The video features interviews with openings. For more information, Stein and Jonah Goldberg. yaf.org politics, from the traditional lawmakers, parents and educators contact Blayne Bennett at bben-

“R” and “D” to a new division from Arizona, Florida and [email protected]. between political professional Pennsylvania. scrgfoundation.org studentsforliberty.org

SPN NEWS 21 January / February 2011 The Three Rs Student Freedom Project Students for Liberty Continued from page 3 Continued from page 3 Continued from page 3

elections, moot courts and a role-playing Based on the Foundation’s experiences, fall and an international conference in game called “Bill or No Bill.” here are three tips for successful outreach. Washington, D.C. each winter where students come together to meet each other Relationships. JMI facilitates meaningful Go where students are. My biggest as well as the scholars and leaders of the interactions between students and moment as we launched the Student liberty movement. policymakers. At Girls State, we had Freedom Project was setting foot on the several women in government participate Washington State University campus for The 2011 International Students For in a forum (similar to the TV program “The the first time. I literally entered another Liberty Conference takes place Feb. 18-20 View”) moderated by one of our interns. world and it changed my perspective on and will be the world’s largest gathering of At our annual youth leadership day, the how we were going to reach students. pro-liberty students, with more than 400 Institute had public officials eat lunch with attendees. small groups of students. Speak their language. College students live in a bubble and tend to be apathetic Organizations such as the Mackinac Rewards. JMI encourages teachers to to the world outside. Boil your message Center, Commonwealth Foundation give students extra credit for attending down to its absolute core and show them and Show-Me Institute send interns its programs. Students are offered a “free how it will affect them personally to break and local students to these conferences. lunch” on Milton Friedman Day (and then through. Participants return home educated, trained it is explained that there’s really no such and motivated to strengthen their existing thing). And the Institute gives a Land of Bring Food. College students are more student groups – or start new ones – to Liberty Award at the Florida History Fair than likely both hungry and broke. Free advance liberty on their campus. for the best project about an immigrant pizza will buy you a few minutes of their who embraced America’s founding ideals. attention. SFL's job is to connect organizations like yours with students and potential interns. By remembering the three Rs of good By following these practices, the Student Visit StudentsForLiberty.org to learn more youth programs, JMI has seen students get Freedom Project has grown to nearly 500 about SFL, or, simply contact us today to excited about founding principles and free members in just one semester. Your nearby discuss how we can work together. market ideals. Try it and see! campus is waiting: Reach out! Clark Ruper is the vice president Lasse Lund is director of the Becky Liner is the director of of Students For Liberty. Write him Citizen Action Network with the operations at The James Madison at [email protected]. Evergreen Freedom Foundation. Institute in Florida. Write her at Write him at [email protected]. [email protected].

Award Winner Announced

The Illinois government has a reputation of being among the most corrupt in the nation. Many Illinoisans – whether public employees, service beneficiaries or Congratulations to the taxpayers – have witnessed government wrongdoing yet kept quiet for fear of reprisal. To advance government accountability, the Illinois Policy Institute developed a new Illinois Policy Institute watchdog tool: The "Last Honest Man" Tip Line. The toll-free Tip Line is monitored 24 hours a day by their seasoned investigative reporter, who investigates tips and for winning the SPNovation Award for its publishes findings online. All tips are anonymous and can remain confidential.

After the Tip Line launch, Illinois Policy Institute received 50 calls that “Last Honest Man” resulted in 15 solid tips leading to five stories, bringing to light explosive issues, including Cook County probation malfeasance, First Amendment Tip Line violations within government entities, and misappropriation of taxpayer funds. To learn more, visit illinoispolicy.org/lasthonestman.

Reminder: Nominations for the next round of SPNovation Awards are due by February 15. Visit spn.org/about/spnovation-awards to submit nominations.

SPN NEWS 22 January / February 2011 Member Directory Please visit www.spn.org/directory for detailed membership contact information.

Alabama Illinois Policy Institute Missouri Pennsylvania Young America’s Foundation Alabama Policy Institute Chicago 312-346-5700 Show-Me Institute Allegheny Institute for Public Policy 800-872-1776 yaf.org 205-870-9900 alabamapolicy.org Springfield 217-528-8800 314-454-0647 showmeinstitute.org 412-440-0079 alleghenyinstitute.org illinoispolicyinstitute.org Washington Montana Commonwealth Foundation Evergreen Freedom Foundation Alaska Sam Adams Alliance Foundation 717-671-1901 commonwealthfoundation.org 360-956-3482 effwa.org Alaska Policy Forum 312-920-0080 samadamsalliance.org Montana Policy Institute 907-334-5853 alaskapolicyforum.org 406-219-0508 montanapolicy.org Free To Choose Network Washington Policy Center Indiana 518-423-7273 freetochoose.net Arizona Nebraska 206-937-9691 washingtonpolicy.org Foundation for Educational Choice Goldwater Institute Platte Institute for REACH 317-681-0745 edchoice.org Washington, D.C. 602-462-5000 goldwaterinstitute.org Economic Research 717-238-1878 paschoolchoice.org Indiana Policy Review Foundation 402-452-3737 platteinstitute.org Accuracy In Media 202-364-4401 Arkansas 260-417-4094 inpolicy.org Rhode Island aim.org Arkansas Policy Foundation Nevada Ocean State Policy Alliance for School Choice 501-537-0825 Iowa Nevada Policy Research Institute Research Institute 202-280-1990 allianceforschoolchoice.org arkansaspolicyfoundation.org Public Interest Institute 702-222-0642 npri.org 401-228-6691 oceanstatepolicy.org 319-385-3462 limitedgovernment.org American Council of California New Hampshire South Carolina Trustees and Alumni Claremont Institute Kansas Josiah Bartlett Center South Carolina Policy Council 202-467-6787 goacta.org 803-779-5022 scpolicycouncil.com 909-621-6825 claremont.org Kansas Policy Institute for Public Policy American Legislative 316-634-0218 kansaspolicy.org 603-224-4450 jbartlett.org South Carolinians for Exchange Council David Horowitz Freedom Center Responsible Government 818-849-3470 New Jersey 202-466-3800 alec.org Kentucky 803-212-1051 scrgov.org horowitzfreedomcenter.org Bluegrass Institute for Common Sense Institute American Tradition Institute Public Policy Solutions Independent Institute of New Jersey South Dakota 202-670-2680 atinstitute.org 270-782-2140 bipps.org 973-927-9860 csinj.org Great Plains Public Policy Institute 510-632-1366 independent.org Americans for Prosperity 605-334-9400 greatplainsppi.org National Tax Louisiana Just Facts 703-224-3211 americansforprosperity.org 973-539-5280 justfacts.com Limitation Committee Foundation for Self-Government Tennessee Americans for Tax Reform 916-786-9400 limittaxes.org 225-266-8727 Solutions for New Jersey Tennessee Center for 202-785-0266 atr.org 609-882-1071 solutionsfornewjersey.com Policy Research Open Government Louisiana Family Forum America’s Future Foundation 225-344-8533 lafamilyforum.org 615-383-6431 tennesseepolicy.org Institute of California New Mexico 202-331-2261 americasfuture.org 714-743-8313 capitolvotes.org Texas Pelican Institute Rio Grande Foundation Atlas Economic Institute for Policy Innovation Pacific Legal Foundation for Public Policy 505-264-6090 riograndefoundation.org Research Foundation 916-419-7111 pacificlegal.org 504-920-4727 pelicaninstitute.org 972-874-5139 ipi.org New York 202-449-8449 atlasnetwork.org National Center Maine Atlantic Legal Foundation Black Alliance for Pacific Research Institute for Policy Analysis 415-989-0833 pacificresearch.org Maine Heritage Policy Center 212-867-3322 atlanticlegal.org Educational Options 972-386-6272 ncpa.org 207-321-2550 mainepolicy.org 202-429-2236 baeo.org Empire Center for Prometheus Institute Texas Conservative Coalition New York State Policy Capital Research Center 213-221-7893 Maryland Research Institute theprometheusinstitute.org 518-434-3100 empirecenter.org 202-483-6900 capitalresearch.org Calvert Institute 512-474-6042 txccri.org for Policy Research Foundation for Cato Institute Reason Foundation Texas Public Policy Foundation 410-752-5887 calvertinstitute.org Economic Education 202-842-0200 cato.org 310-391-2245 reason.org 512-472-2700 texaspolicy.com 914-591-7230 fee.org Free State Foundation Center for Education Reform Colorado 301-984-8253 freestatefoundation.org Utah Centennial Institute Foundation for Education 301-986-8088 edreform.com Reform and Accountability Sutherland Institute 303-963-3425 centennialccu.org Maryland Citizens Against Government Waste Public Policy Institute 518-383-2598 nyfera.org 801-355-1272 sutherlandinstitute.org Independence Institute 202-467-5300 cagw.org 240-686-3510 mdpolicy.org Just Facts Vermont 303-279-6536 i2i.org Competitive Enterprise Institute Regular Folks United 973-539-5280, ext. 7 justfacts.com Ethan Allen Institute Limited Government Forum 202-331-1010 cei.org 443-254-6688 regularfolksunited.com Manhattan Institute 802-695-1448 ethanallen.org 719-579-9909 limitedgovforum.org FreedomWorks Massachusetts for Policy Research Virginia 212-599-7000 manhattan-institute.org 202-783-3870 freedomworks.org Connecticut Beacon Hill Institute Americans for Limited Yankee Institute 617-573-8050 beaconhill.org Moving Picture Institute Government Foundation The Fund for American Studies 860-297-4271 yankeeinstitute.org 323-650-3850 movingpictureinstitute.org 703-383-0880 getliberty.org 202-986-0384 tfas.org Pioneer Institute The Heritage Foundation Delaware 617-723-2277 pioneerinstitute.org North Carolina Center for Competitive Politics Caesar Rodney Institute 703-894-6800 campaignfreedom.org 202-546-4400 heritage.org Tuerck Foundation for the Jesse Helms Center 302-535-6523 caesarrodney.org Study of Economics, Law 704-233-1776 jessehelmscenter.org Citizens in Charge Foundation Judicial Watch Inc. 202-646-5172 judicialwatch.org Intercollegiate Studies Institute, Inc. and the Humanities John Locke Foundation 703-492-1776 citizensincharge.org 617-973-5090 tuerckfoundation.org 302-652-4600 isi.org 919-828-3876 johnlocke.org Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute National Center for Policy 703-318-0730 cblpi.org Analysis - D.C. Office Florida Michigan John William Pope Civitas Institute 202-220-3082 ncpa.org American Dream Coalition Acton Institute for the Study 919-834-2099 jwpcivitasinstitute.org DonorsTrust of Religion and Liberty National Center for 303-442-2120 North Carolina Institute 703-535-3563 donorstrust.org americandreamcoalition.org 616-454-3080 acton.org Public Policy Research for Constitutional Law Franklin Center for Government 202-543-4110 nationalcenter.org Foundation for Excellence Education Action Group Foundation 919-838-5313 ncicl.org and Public Integrity in Education 231-733-4202 educationactiongroup.org 701-214-5612 franklincenterhq.org Reason Foundation - D.C. Office 850-391-4090 excelined.org Pope Center for Higher 202-986-0916 reason.org Headspring Group Education Policy Galen Institute James Madison Institute 800-728-0168 headspringgroup.org 919-828-3876 popecenter.org 703-299-8900 galen.org Tax Foundation 850-386-3131 jamesmadison.org 202-464-6200 taxfoundation.org Mackinac Center for Public Policy North Dakota Institute for Humane Studies Georgia 989-631-0900 mackinac.org North Dakota Policy Council 703-993-4880 theihs.org West Virginia Georgia Family Council 701-223-8155 policynd.org Institute for Justice Public Policy Foundation 770-242-0001 Minnesota gafam.org 703-682-9320 ij.org of West Virginia Center of the Ohio 304-282-8249 westvirginiapolicy.com Georgia Public American Experiment Leadership Institute Policy Foundation 1851 Center for Constitutional Law 612-338-3605 americanexperiment.org 703-247-2000 leadershipinstitute.org Wisconsin 404-256-4050 gppf.org 614-340-9817 ohioconstitution.org Freedom Foundation of Minnesota Buckeye Institute for Public Mercatus Center Lucy Burns Institute Hawaii 612-279-2022 Policy Solutions 703-993-4930 mercatus.org 608-255-0688 wikifoia.org Grassroot Institute of Hawaii freedomfoundationofminnesota.com 614-224-4422 BuckeyeInstitute.org National Taxpayers Union The MacIver Institute 808-591-9193 grassrootinstitute.org for Public Policy Intellectual Takeout 703-683-5700 ntu.org Small Business Hawaii 507-246-4028 intellectualtakeout.org Oklahoma 262-617-2716 maciverinstitute.com Oklahoma Council Parents in Charge Foundation 808-396-1724 smallbusinesshawaii.com Wisconsin Policy Research Institute Minnesota Free Market Institute of Public Affairs 703-383-0908 picfoundation.org Idaho 651-294-3590 405-602-1667 ocpathink.org 262-242-6409 wpri.org minnesotafreemarkets.org Students For Liberty Idaho Freedom Foundation Oregon 202-907-4685 studentsforliberty.org Wyoming 208-467-9257 idahofreedom.net Mississippi Better Government Project Wyoming Liberty Group Thomas Jefferson Institute Mississippi Center 503-454-0828 bettergovernmentproject.org 307-632-7020 wyominglibgrp.org Illinois for Public Policy 703-440-9447 thomasjeffersoninst.org Heartland Institute Cascade Policy Institute ———————— 601-969-1300 mspolicy.org Virginia Institute for Public Policy 312-377-4000 heartland.org 503-242-0900 cascadepolicy.org 703-753-5900 virginiainstitute.org U.S.A. Fraser Institute 317-578-0061 fraseramerica.org SPN NEWS 23 January / February 2011 2020 North 14th Street Suite 250 Arlington, VA 22201

Look for these Upcoming SpN EVeNTs!

coming this spring!

DALLAS SPN Leadership Development Breakfast April 28, 2011

spn.org/events for more info SAVE THE DATE!

Join us in beautiful Seattle for three days of networking, policy updates, technology tutorials, professional development, and keynote speakers. This event is sure to fill up quickly, so make your arrangements early! AUGUST 23-25 SPN.ORG